Bombed Canadians, flier explains why in secret

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...-1/TPNational/

{EXCERPT}

UPDATED AT 3:27 PM EDT Friday, Jul 2, 2004

A U.S. fighter pilot who mistakenly bombed Canadian forces in
Afghanistan in 2002, killing four soldiers, used classified materials
about the mission yesterday to defend his actions before a three-star
general, the airman's lawyer said from New Orleans.

Major Harry Schmidt made a personal statement to Lieutenant-General
Bruce Carlson in an hour-long hearing to determine whether the airman
will be punished for the April, 2002, bombing, lawyer Charles Gittins
said.

"He explained exactly what he did and why he did it," Mr. Gittins
said.

Gen. Carlson will decide what punishment, if any, the pilot will face.
His options include no punishment, house arrest or a fine of about
$5,600 (U.S.).

The general gave no indication of when he would rule, Mr. Gittins
said.

The hearing, at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, was closed to
the public and the news media because it dealt with classified
information.

Mr. Gittins also made a presentation to the general and submitted a
report defending the pilot's d...

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The American War Library
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